Bent, Thomas W., d. 1972.

In September 1924 the first iron artifact was discovered by Charles E. Manier near an old lime kiln site on Silverbell Road. The property was owned by Thomas W. Bent, Sr. In the next two years, twenty-four artifacts were removed from the site. The artifacts were decorated with Christian crosses, Muslim crescents, Hebraic candlesticks, Freemasonry symbols, and other signs. The origin and authenticity of the artifacts was debated, and Thomas Bent and later his son, Thomas Bent, Jr., spent many years researching the materials.